Conference Wrestling February 12, 2007 Contact: Will Wolper, Director of Information 222 Third Street SE, Suite 423 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Phone - (319) 366-4975 ** Fax - (319) 366-4911 e-mail - [email protected]

Standings IIAC Overall W L PCT W L T PCT 2007 IIAC Wrestling Championship Wartburg 8 0 1.000 21 1 0 .955 7 1 .875 15 3 0 .833 Coe 6 2 .750 18 5 0 .783 February 15 Cornell 4 4 .500 14 8 0 .636 Buena Vista 4 4 .500 10 10 0 .500 Hosted by University of Dubuque Loras 3 5 .375 11 8 0 .579 Dubuque 2 6 .250 8 9 0 .471 Simpson 2 6 .250 5 11 1 .324 Central 0 8 .000 0 18 0 .000

This Week’s Schedule

Feb. 15 Iowa Conference Championship, 10:00 AM at the University of Dubuque

Championship preview begins on page 2 of this release

Iowa Conference Wrestlers of the Week

Week Week Ending Wrestler, School Ending Wrestler, School Nov. 12 Matt Pyle, Luther Jan. 7 Nick Nothern, Cornell Nov. 19 Brian Borchers, Wartburg Jan. 14 Matt Pyle, Luther Dec. 3 Wade Hammen, Buena Vista Jan. 21 Jason Knipp, Wartburg Dec. 10 Jay Figgins, Loras Jan. 28 Kyle Forness, Buena Vista Dec. 17 Chris Heilman, Cornell Feb. 4 Aaron Wernimont, Wartburg Dec. 31 Blake Gillis, Wartburg Feb. 11 Kyle Forness, Buena Vista

2007 IOWA CONFERENCE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . The 2007 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) wrestling Championship is Thursday, February 15, at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa. Matches begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Stoltz and McCormick Gymnasiums with the finals set for 7:00 p.m. in the McCormick Gymnasium following the Grand March at 6:30 p.m.

Iowa Public Television (IPTV) will televise the Championship finals live across the state beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tim Johnson will provide the play-by-play and former national champion wrestlers Jim and Joe Gibbons will provide analysis. For local IPTV stations, visit IPTV’s web site at www.iptv.org.

National Polls: Seven Iowa Conference schools and 18 individuals are ranked in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association/Brute-Adidas poll released on January 23. A new poll is scheduled to be released this week. Ranked teams are Wartburg (2nd), Luther (5th), Coe (6th), Loras (16th), Cornell (17th), Dubuque (22nd) and Buena Vista (24th). Since the last poll was released, #2 Wartburg defeated #1 , avenging the Knights only loss of the season.

Nine of the 10 weight classes have at least one Iowa Conference wrestler ranked in the top-8, including six classes with at least two wrestlers. Three IIAC wrestlers are among the top-8 at 125-, 133- and 157-pounds. Wartburg has seven wrestlers ranked. Luther has four ranked wrestlers, Cornell has three and Coe has two. Buena Vista and Loras each have one.

2006 IIAC Championship Recap: Wartburg won its 14th straight Iowa Conference title last season, setting the IIAC record for points (208.0) and margin of victory (77.0). The Knights matched their own Conference record with eight individual Champions and had nine finalists (one shy of the record set in 2003). Luther finished second for the sixth time in seven years with 131.0 points behind one champion and four runners-up. Loras was the only other school with an individual champion and finished third with 115 points.

Three former Conference Champions return to their teams’ line-up this year. Wartburg heavyweight Blake Gillis will look to become just the fifth four-time Conference Champion since 1965. Wartburg’s T.J. Miller is the defending Champion at 197- pounds and Luther’s Matt Pyle was the 2005 Champion at 149-pounds.

Fifteen of the Conference’s 32 national qualifiers, and eight of 20 All-Americans from 2006 return to their teams’ line-ups in 2007. Pyle and Gillis will look to qualify for nationals for the fourth time in their career, having earned All-American honors each year. Pyle leads a group of five returning Norse national qualifiers and Gillis leads a group of three returning Knight qualifiers. Buena Vista also has three returning national qualifiers, Coe has two returning qualifiers, and Cornell and Loras each have one qualifier in their line-up.

Thirty-two IIAC wrestlers will qualify for the NCAA Championship field of 160, the top-three in each weight class and two wildcards. The 2007 NCAA National Wrestling Championship will be hosted by Loras College at the Five Flags Center in Dubuque on March 2-3.

A class-by-class preview follows with each school’s probable line-up. Championship brackets will be posted on the Conference web site (www.iowaconference.com) on Thursday morning and the web site will be updated with results throughout the day.

~~ www.iowaconference.com ~~

125-Pounds

School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) Buena Vista --OPEN-- Loras Mark Beatty, Fr. (21-12) Central Tyrone Callender, Fr. (4-25) Luther Nate Hansen, Sr. (18-5) Coe Brian Clement, Sr., (27-9) Simpson Tony Hager, Sr. (7-17) Cornell Chris Heilman, Jr. (29-3) Wartburg Robert Struthers, Jr. (26-8) Dubuque Brandon Page, So. (3-13)

Luther’s Nate Hansen has been ranked first in nation all year. Cornell’s Chris Heilman is currently ranked fourth but spent three weeks as high as second. Wartburg’s Robert Struthers has been ranked seventh in each of the last two polls. Hansen finished second in the Conference last year and placed third at 133-pounds in 2004. Heilman has finished fourth in the Conference at 125-pounds each of the last two years. Both Hansen and Heilman earned All-American honors last year. Coe’s Brian Clement finished sixth at 133-pounds in both 2004 and 2005. Simpson’s Tony Hager wrestled at the IIAC meet in 2005.

133-Pounds

School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) Buena Vista Jestin Hulegaard, Jr. (16-7) Loras Jordan Loy, So. (17-20) Central Nick Johnson, Fr. (6-22) Luther Zac Bartlett, So. (14-9) Coe Gannon Hjerleid, Jr. (30-11) Simpson Matt Koch, So. (9-13) Cornell Nick Nothern, Fr. (32-11) Wartburg Jake Helvey, Jr. (23-5) Dubuque Jason Francis, Fr. (8-12)

The third-, fourth-, and fifth-ranked wrestlers in the nation hail from the IIAC in Wartburg’s Jake Helvey, Cornell’s Nick Nothern and Buena Vista’s Jestin Hulegaard, respectively. Hulegaard has finished second (2005) and third (2006) in the weight class the last two years and is a two-time All-American. Coe’s Gannon Hjerleid and Simpson’s Matt Koch both competed last year.

141-Pounds

School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) Buena Vista Luke Satern, Fr. (25-15) Loras Boomer Mears, Jr. (8-18) Central Andy Ohnemus, Sr. (9-11) Luther Travis Grawin, Jr. (15-11) Coe Jared Creason, Sr. (33-4) Simpson --OPEN-- Cornell David Boussios, So. (19-10) Wartburg Zach McKray, So. (7-7) Dubuque Dan Ruter, Sr. (21-9)

Coe’s Jared Creason, currently ranked eighth in the weight class, has been as high as fourth this year. He is a two-time national qualifier at 149-pounds and has two third-place and a fourth-place Conference finish the last three years. Wartburg’s Zach McKray is currently unranked but has been as high as second this year. He was an All-American at 133-pounds last year and finished second in the Conference. Luther’s Travis Grawin finished fourth in the Conference at 141-pounds last year and Dubuque’s Dan Ruter finished fifth at 133. Cornell’s David Boussios (149-pounds in 2006) and Central’s Andy Ohnemus (125-pounds in 2004) have previous Conference Championship experience.

149-Pounds

School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) Buena Vista Calvin Barber, Fr. (15-12) Loras Erik Hanson, Fr. (16-12) Dana Vote, Jr. (8-6) Central Nick Wordes, Fr. (1-19) Luther Matt Pyle, Sr. (28-5) Coe Niles Mercer, Jr. (25-8) Simpson Curtis Barber, Fr. (16-13) Cornell Alex Riniker, Fr. (11-17) Wartburg Adam Weber, Fr. (26-11) Dubuque Anderson Scainci, Fr. (6-10)

Three-time All-American Matt Pyle is currently ranked third nationally. He has top-three finishes in the IIAC the past three years including an individual title in 2005, a runner-up finish in 2006 and a third-place finish in 2004. Pyle is a three-time All-American, including a national title in 2005. Coe’s Niles Mercer finished fifth at 141-pounds last year and qualified for nationals. Buena Vista’s Dana Vote competed in the IIAC Championship at 157-pounds last year.

157-Pounds

School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) Buena Vista Kyle Forness, So. (21-8) Loras Billy Smith, Sr. (7-13) Central Jeremiah Teeple, Fr. (0-4) Luther Danny Fornoff, So. (9-15) Ryan DeVriendt, Sr. (7-6) Coe Tyler Burkle, Fr. (23-6) Simpson Kellen Delaney, Sr. (23-7) Cornell Pat McAuley, Jr. (35-10) Wartburg Aaron Wernimont, So. (32-4) Dubuque Chuck Pieritz, Fr. (10-5)

Wartburg’s Aaron Wernimont, Cornell’s Pat McAuley and Coe’s Tyler Burkle are ranked fourth, fifth and seventh, respectively, in the current national rankings. McAuley finished third in the IIAC at 157-pounds last year and wrestled at 149- pounds in 2005. Buena Vista’s Kyle Forness finished fifth at 149-pounds last year while Central’s Ryan DeVriendt has competed in the Conference Championship at 149 each of the last three years, finishing as high as fifth in 2005. Simpson’s Kellen Delaney is also a three-time Conference competitor, finishing fifth at 157-pounds in 2005.

165-Pounds

School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) Buena Vista Kody Koster, So. (10-5) Loras Dave Early, Sr. (22-12) Tyler Winkleman, So. (8-12) Central Griffin Holden, Fr. (1-12) Luther Nate Van Dyke, Jr. (20-6) Coe Bryon Grothus, So. (27-13) Simpson Tom Koch, Sr. (11-15) Cornell Drew Vickers, So. (17-13) Wartburg Jason Knipp, Sr. (10-2) Dubuque Darrin Kaisand, Jr. (9-5)

The only weight class currently without an IIAC wrestler ranked in the top-8. Luther’s Nate Van Dyke has been ranked as high as seventh this year. He finished second in the Conference at 157-pounds last year, qualifying for the National Championships. Loras’ Dave Early has finished fourth each of the last two years, at 165-pounds in 2006 and at 157-pounds in 2005. Dubuque’s Darrin Kaisand finished fourth last year at 174-pounds and sixth in 2005 at 157-pounds. Coe’s Bryon Grothus, Cornell’s Drew Vickers and Simpson’s Tom Koch (at 184-pounds), each participated in last year’s Conference Championship.

174-Pounds

School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) Buena Vista Josh Murray, Jr. (23-14) Loras Brandon Bauer, So. (18-18) Julian Mancha, Fr. (12-11) Central Kevin Yeoman, Fr. (0-11) Luther Paul Meirick, Sr. (10-6) Coe Marcus Schneider, Jr. (23-10) Simpson Trent Byler, Jr. (4-14) Tyler Jentz, Jr. (17-9) Cornell Kyle Kehrli, So. (17-17) Wartburg Jason Zastrow, Sr. (23-4) Dubuque Robert Larson, Sr. (16-9)

Wartburg’s Jason Zastrow is ranked fourth in the current national poll. Six possible wrestlers in the weight class have previous Conference experience. Buena Vista’s Josh Murray and Cornell’s Kyle Kehrli competed at 174-pounds last year. Coe’s Tyler Jentz finished third at 157-pounds in 2005, the same year teammate Marcus Schneider competed at 184-pounds and Simpson’s Trent Byler competed at 197-pounds.

184-Pounds

School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) Buena Vista Austin Hayes, So. (15-16) Loras Jay Figgins, Jr. (29-3) Julian Mancha, Fr. (12-11) Central Jess Welu, Fr. (6-14) Luther Mark Mueller, Fr. (2-1) Coe Greg Lalla, So. (25-13) Simpson Garrett Kiley, Fr. (9-11) Cornell Andrew Smith, So. (15-21) Wartburg Romeo Djoumessi, So. (28-1) Dubuque Cesar Dominguez, So. (2-4)

Wartburg’s Romeo Djoumessi and Loras’ Jay Figgins are ranked second and fourth, respectively in the nation. Figgins finished fifth at the 2006 Conference Championship at 197-pounds and qualified for nationals. Coe’s Greg Lalla finished fourth at 184- pounds last year.

197-Pounds

School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) Buena Vista Ben Strandberg, Sr. (24-10) Loras Ryan Allen, So. (17-22) Central Max Davis, Fr. (8-23) Luther Alec Bonander, So. (26-4) Coe Rob Kramer, Fr. (28-12) Simpson Sam Collora, Fr. (3-22) Cornell Josh Pastor, Jr. (9-22) Wartburg T.J. Miller, Jr. (22-0) Dubuque Matt Wonderlin, Jr. (5-4)

Wartburg’s T.J. Miller and Luther’s Alec Bonander are ranked second and third, respectively in the nation. Buena Vista’s Ben Strandberg is currently unranked but has been as high as fourth this year. The trio finished were three of the top four finishers in the Conference last year, Miller the champion, Strandberg third and Bonander fourth. All three individuals were national qualifiers last year with Miller winning the national title. Dubuque’s Matt Wonderlin wrestled at 184-pounds the last two years, finishing third in 2006. Cornell’s Josh Pastor competed in the 2005 IIAC Championship.

Heavyweight

School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) School Wrestler, Yr. (2006-07 Record) Buena Vista Wade Hammen, Sr. (15-7) Loras Trevor Kaufman, So. (22-10) Central Mark Trullinger, Sr. (4-8) Luther John Miller, So., (14-3) Coe Jared Carder, Fr. (28-16) Simpson Chris Downing, Jr. (16-13) Cornell Jason Edlund, Fr. (10-22) Wartburg Blake Gillis, Sr. (33-1) Dubuque Eric Daughetee, So. (14-16)

Three-time defending Conference and National Champion, Blake Gillis of Wartburg has been ranked first nationally the entire year. Luther’s John Miller is currently ranked fifth but has been as high as second and Buena Vista’s Wade Hammen was also ranked during the year. Miller finished second in the IIAC last year, Hammen finished fifth last year and seventh (at 197-pounds) in 2005. Central’s Mark Trullinger has wrestled in the Conference Championship the past three years.

Brute-Adidas National Wrestling Coaches IIAC in the Team Rankings Assoc. Team Rankings Poll Date: January 23, 2007 Brute-Adidas NWCA Pre N. 21 D. 11 J. 9 J. 23 Buena Vista 11th 11th 20th 20th 24th Rank Team Record Coe 12th 12th 10th 9th 6th 1. Augsburg College (MN) (7-0) Cornell 16th 19th 16th 17th 17th 2. (IA) (14-1) Dubuque NR NR 18th 18th 22nd 3. University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse (12-1) Loras 24th 21st 17th 16th 16th 4. Delaware Valley College (PA) (13-2) Luther 4th 4th 3rd 4th 5th 5. Luther College (IA) (10-3) Wartburg 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 6. Coe College (IA) (14-4) 7. Elmhurst College (IL) (9-1) IIAC in the Individual Rankings 8. College of New Jersey (9-1) Complete current individual poll on the following page 9. Cortland State University of New York (10-2) 10. York College (PA) (8-8) Brute-Adidas NWCA Pre N. 21 D. 11 J. 9 J. 23 11. State University of New York at Brockport (3-2) 125-pounds 12. Johnson and Wales University (RI) (12-3) Nate Hansen, Luther 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st Chrise Heilman, Cornell 3rd 2nd 2nd 2nd 4th 13. Wilkes University (PA) (9-4) Rob Struthers, Wartburg NR NR NR 7th 7th 14. Ithaca College (NY) (7-2) 15. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater (12-4) 133-pounds 16. Loras College (IA) (9-5) Jacob Helvey, Wartburg NR 8th 6th 3rd 3rd 17. Cornell College (IA) (12-4) Nick Nothern, Cornell NR NR NR 4th 4th 18. Olivet College (MI) (9-6-1) Jestin Hulegaard, BV 2nd 2nd 4th 5th 5th 19. Roger Williams University (RI) (15-4) 20. John Carroll University (OH) (8-3-1) 141-pounds 21. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point (9-7) Jared Creason, Coe 149# 4th 6th 6th 8th 22. University of Dubuque (IA) (8-5) Zach McKray, Wartburg 4th 2nd NR NR NR

23. Heidelberg College (OH) (5-4) 149-pounds 24. Buena Vista University (IA) (5-7) Matt Pyle, Luther 4th 5th 3rd 3rd 3rd 25. State Unniversity of New York at Oneonta (9-5) Jacob Naig, Wartburg 1st 2nd NR NR NR 26. Case Western Reserve University (OH) (6-6) Jared Creason, Coe 7th 141# 141# 141#141# 27. Concordia College - Moorhead (MN) (6-3) 28. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire (10-4) 157-pounds 29. University of Wisconsin - Platteville (6-4) Aaron Wernimont, Wart. NR 7th 6th 4th 4th 30. Ursinus College (PA) (9-0) Pat McCauley, Cornell NR NR NR 8th 5th Tyler Burkle, Coe NR NR NR NR 7th NEXT RANKING: Week of February 11, 2007 165-pounds Ranking Committee: Mike Howard (Oswego), Rich Husenfus Nate VanDyke, Luther NR 8th 7th 8th NR (Norwich), Jim Miller (Wartburg), Kerry Volkmann (John Carroll), Dave Icenhower (College of New Jersey), Chris Walter 174-pounds (UW-Platteville) Jason Zastrow, Wartburg NR 5th 4th 4th 4th

184-pounds Romeo Djoumessi, Wart. 3rd 4th 2nd 2nd 2nd Jay Figgins, Loras 8th 8th NR NR 4th

197-pounds TJ Miller, Wartburg 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 2nd Alec Bonander, Luther 5th 5th 3rd 2nd 3rd Ben Strandberg, BV 4th 4th 7th NR NR

Heavyweight Blake Gillis, Wartburg 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st John Miller, Luther 2nd 2nd 2nd 4th 5th Wade Hammen, BV NR NR 6th NR NR

Brute-Adidas National Wrestling Coaches Assoc. Individual Rankings Poll Date: January 23, 2007

125 lbs. 133 lbs. 1. Nate Hansen Sr. Luther College 1. Jafari Vanier Jr. Augsburg College 2. Brandon McDonough Jr. Johnson & Wales Univ. 2. David Morgan So. King's College 3. Seth Flodeen So. Augsburg College 3. Jacob Helvey Jr. Wartburg College 4. Chris Heilman Jr. Cornell College 4. Nick Nothern fr. Cornell College 5. Rob Vaccaro Sr. SUNY Brockport 5. Justin Hulegaard Sr. Buena Vista University 6. Mike McInally Fr. R. I. T. 6. Adam Johnson Jr. North Central College 7. Rob Struthers Jr. Wartburg College 7. Ray Sarinelli So. College of New Jersey 8. Jake Oyster So. Elmhurst College 8. Billy Hall So. Muhlenberg College

141 lbs. 149 lbs. 1. Quincy Osborn Jr. Augsburg College 1. Jacob Larsen Sr. UW LaCrosse 2. Rick Laforge Sr. Delaware Valley College 2. Jason Roush Sr. College of Mt. St. Joseph 3. Paul LeBlanc So. Cortland State 3. Matt Pyle Sr. Luther College 4. Andrew Lacroix Sr. Roger Williams University 4. Jared Evans Sr. Augsburg College 5. Mike Conklin Sr. Norwich University 5. Joe Pflug Jr. Heidleberg College 6. Mike Bonora Jr. Rhode Island College 6. Don Ooton Sr. SUNY Brockport 7. Minga Butsukh Fr. Saint John's University 7. Gene Kobilansky Sr. New York University 8. Jared Creason Sr. Coe College 8. Jeff Kastel Sr. Elmhurst College

157 lbs. 165 lbs. 1. Jeremy Anderson Jr. Augsburg College 1. Marcus LeVesseur Sr. Augsburg College 2. Ross Needham Sr. UW LaCrosse 2. Scott Dorn Sr. UW LaCrosse 3. Elliott Spence Jr. College of Mt. St. Joseph 3. Steve Martell Jr. Johnson & Wales Univ. 4. Aaron Wernimont So. Wartburg College 4. Mike Guenther Sr. College of New Jersey 5. Pat McAuley Jr. Cornell College 5. Phil Kruzel Sr. University of Chicago 6. Dan DeLalla Sr. Wesleyan University 6. Zach Bogardus Jr. Cortland State 7. Tyler Burkle Fr. Coe College 7. Jerry Bowne Sr. York College 8. Kyle Katz Jr. Elmhurst College 8. Shaheim Bradshaw Jr. SUNY Brockport

174 lbs. 184 lbs. 1. Josh Chelf Jr. UW LaCrosse 1. Jason Lulloff Sr. UW LaCrosse 2. John Dolan Sr. Williams College 2. Romeo Djoumessi So. Wartburg College 3. Robbie Gotreau Jr. Augsburg College 3. Stephon Sair Sr. Cortland State 4. Jason Zastrow Sr. Wartburg College 4. Jay Figgins Jr. Loras College 5. Kyle Vanderhyde So. Olivet College 5. Craig Bollig Jr. UW Stevens Point 6. Andrew Winfield So. McDaniel College 6. Brett Giehl Jr. SUNY Brockport 7. Greg Osgoodby So. College of New Jersey 7. Nick Calandrino Sr. Ithaca College 8. Chris Brachen Jr. John Carroll University 8. Elliott Smith Jr. Springfield College

197 lbs. 285 lbs. 1. Jim Swanson Sr. UW LaCrosse 1. Blake Gillis Sr. Wartburg College 2. TJ Miller Jr. Wartburg College 2. Arkadiy Levitin Sr. Hunter College 3. Alec Bonander So. Luther College 3. Kyle Bilquist So. Delaware Valley College 4. Ryan Fogliano So. Heidelberg College 4. Bryan Kmetz Sr. Baldwin Wallace College 5. Matt Loesch Sr. Muhlenberg College 5. John Miller Sr. Luther College 6. Brandon Kelly Sr. Wilkes University 6. Ward Brady Sr. Elmhurst College 7. Phil Archer Jr. Cortland State 7. Andrew Neumann Jr. Augsburg College 8. Thomas Sanders Sr. Case Western Reserve 8. Trevor Hiffa Jr. Oneonta Stat